Rail-supporting device



Feb. 17. 1925. 1,527,117

J. C. CLAYTON RAIL SUPPORTING DEVICE Original Filed Feb. 2, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESS: ATI'ORNEY Feb.- 17; 1925.

Jadm wn ATTORNEY WITNESS:

Patented Feb. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN G. CLAYTON, OF TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA.

BAIL-SUPPORTING- DEVICE.

Application filed February 2, 1924, Serial No. 690,256. Renewed January 9, 1925.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J OHN C. CLAYTON, a. citizen of the United States, residing at Tuscaloosa, in the county of Tuscaloosa and State of Alabama, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rail-Supporting Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to railroad construction and has for its object the provision of a novel rail holding and bracing device which is designed for use particularly, though not necessarily at curves for the purpose of positively holding the rails against spreading or twisting, the device thus operating as a great safeguard.

An important and more specific object is the provision of a device of this character which is designed to be used at intervals of four or five ties apart as its employment at these points will suifice to provide the proper bracing action.

Still another object is the provision of a structure of this character which may be easily applied to a tie of ordinary construction and spiked down thereonto in the usual manner.

Yet another object is the provision of a device of this character which is provided with an interposed section of insulation so as to avoid short circuiting the block or other signal system with which the road may be equipped.

An additional object is the provision of a device of this character which will be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, as well as eflicient in use, positive in action, durable in service and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view the invention consists in the details of construction to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a railroad track showing the location of my device,

Figure 2 is a plan view of my device on a larger scale,

Figure 3 is a side elevation thereof, the rails themselves being in section,

Figure 1 is a cross section on the line fr-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a cross section on the line S 5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a section on the line 66 of Figure 2,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the yokes,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the body members,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the members disposed against the inside of the rail.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the letter A designates the crossties which support the rails B of a railroad track. In carrying out my invention I provide a bracing and supporting structure designed to be used on certain of the ties A, it being unnecessary to provide the device on every tie. This bracing structure comprises a pair of elongated body members 10 which are similar in construction and which are preferably formed as castings. These body members are formed at their inner ends with upstanding projections 11 which are designed to be separated by a block 12 of insulating material, and to be connected by bolts 13 which pass through suitable insulating bushings 14 so that the body members will be electrically insulated from each other. At their outer ends the body members are formed with holes 15 for the passage of spikes 16 which are provided for anchoring them upon the ties. Near their outer ends the body members are formed with upstanding inclined braces 17 which are shaped to receive the base of the rail and to conformingly engage against the web of the outside of the rail.

Disposed beneath each body member and fitting within a recess in the tie is a U- shaped yoke 18 within which is disposed a rail engaging block 19 held associated with the yoke by a transverse bolt 20. This block has its side toward the rail formed to receive the base thereof and to conformingly engage against the web. The base portion of the block 19 is formed with holes 21 adapted to register with corresponding holes 22 in the body 10 for the passage of spikes 23.

In applying the device, the body members 10 are spiked down onto the tie and the rails are laid thereon, it being of course obvious that the inside block members 19 must be removed or not yet in position so as to permit the placing of the rails. The block members are subsequently placed in position within the yokes and secured by the bolts 20, after Which the spikes 23 are,

driven through the holes 22 and 21 andwin'to the tie.

In use,-it is obvious that the rails are effectually braced not oiilyattheoutside but-also the inside so that they cannot possibly twist or spread even under the most severe strain. The device is thus bound to be agreat preventer of accidents and a safeguard to life andpproperty.

lVhile I have shown and described the preferred embodimentief,my invention it is of course to be understood that I reserve the rightzto-n ake suchehanges in the LfOI'lllyCOllstruction and arrangement of ;parts:as will notidepart from the spirit of the invention Or theficopc of the subjoined icla-ims.

Having thus described my invention 1 claim:

1. A device of the character described com pnising a pair of elongated :body members adapted for a'lined dis-position upon a tie and formed with :heles for the passageof Spikes to effect securing, the inner ends of able against theouter sides of the rails, yokes straddling-the bodyrm'emberiszand engaged between them and the tie, and blocks on the outer ends of {said body members adapted to engage against the-outer sides of-the rails, upstanding projections on the inner ends of the body members securedtogether mechanically and electrically insulated, 'U-shaped yekes beneath andstraddling the body membe'rs, blocks carried said yokes andengagedalpon the tops of the body :members, said blocks being formed 01 conforming engagement against the inner sides of the rails, and said blocks being formed Withholes adapted to register with other holes in the "body member $01 the passage of securing spi kes.

In testimony whereof 1 ailix any signature.

JOHN G. CLAYTON. 

